Federal court upholds Bush-era smog standard

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- A federal court has upheld a 2008 air pollution standard the Obama administration vowed to strengthen, but later reversed itself and kept in place.The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington on Tuesday rejected arguments that the ozone standard for public health set by former President George W. Bush was either too weak or too strong. EPA's scientific advisory panel at the time said the standard should have been more stringent. But referencing Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the court said it cannot demand EPA get things "just right." The Obama administration proposed in January 2010 to tighten the smog standard at a cost of $90 billion a year. But 18 months later, the White House tabled the plans after businesses and congressional Republicans said it would harm the economy.

Share your comments: Log in using your HeraldNet account or your Facebook, Twitter or Disqus profile. Comments that violate the rules are subject to removal. Please see our terms of use. Please note that you must verify your email address for your comments to appear.